Taxi hailing flag



Jan. 4, 1949. T. swERTLow TAXI HAILING FLAG Filed June 22,1945

P. D v E m w A i N ,R a Ew O 7 wm n nu IIUUI| IT A, y? R m W W 3 5 5a Sa a THEODORE .Jar

Patented Jan. 4, 1.949

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in a taxi hailing mechanism and has more particularreference to a hailing flag.

More specically the vinvention proposes the construction of an`extendable and collapsible member adapted to be carried in ones lpocket-or pocketbook when collapsed and when opened up being capable `ofattracting attention of a passing taxicab. It is proposed to attach aflag to the outer end of said member, which may then 'be waved. to hailthe taxi. It is advisable that the ilag be waterproof, and that it beimprinted with luminous material so that it is better visible at nightso as to reduce the inconvenience afforded the public when hailingtaxicabs in dark or oongested areas.

The invention proposes Variations a-nd embodiments, one of which hasbeen disclosed in this specification. Particularly it is proposed thatthe extendable and collapsed member be of varied design. In one form ofthe invention it is in the nature of a plurality of teles-copicallyengaged tubular sections. In another form of the invention it is acombination of telescopically engaged tubular sections and a lazy-tongconstruction.

The invention also proposes a novel and improved means for holding thecollapsible member in its extended position.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects andadvantages thereof, reference will be had to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings,. and to the appended claims in which thevarious novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the a-ccompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a taxi hailing flag constructed inaccordance with one form of this invention and illustrated in acollapsed position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hailing flag shown in Fig. 1 in itsextended position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional -view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vvertical sectional view taken on theline 4 4 of Fig.. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on theline 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken on the line 6 6of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of a taxi hailingiia'g, VConstructedin accordance with a modied form of this invention.

The new and improved taXi hai-ling ilag, :in accordance -with that formof the invention illustrated in Figs. ,1 to 6 inclusive, includes anextendable member IIJ 'adapted to be carried around in ones pocket, orpocketbook when collapsed and having an inner end II by which it may bewaved when opened. A flag yI2 is attached upon the `outer end of themember I0. It is proposed to so construct the collapsible member I0 thatwhen i-. is in its collapsed position it is no larger than a :pen-cil,or fountain pen so that it may be conveniently ha-ndled the same way asa pencil, or pen. Preferably, the ag II is provided with luminoussections I4 so that it may easily be seen in the dark; and it ispreferrably detachably attached `to the device for purposes ofreplacing, washing, etc.

The extendable and collapsible member I0 includes a pair oftelescopically engaged non-rotative tubular sections I5 and yIl adaptedto be extended and collapsed relatively to each other. 'I'he inner endof the inner section I5 is provided with an outwardly directed flange I8and the adjacent end of the outer section KI6 is provided with aninwardly directed flange I 9 which extends over l,said outwardlydirected ilange I8 Aand which continues into .an inwardly directed shorttubular 'portion 2l) spaced outwards from the inner section I5 so as toform a small space, or chamber 2|.

A pin .22 is mounted on and projects from the inwardlyv directed shorttubular portion 20, and engages into a` longitudinally yextending slot23 for holding the sections I5 and I6 `against rotation. As illustratedjin Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the sections .I-.5 and I6 are fully extended. Aspring urged pin .2.5 engages through an aperture 26 in said inwardly.directed short tubular portion 2-0 and extends across the space yorychamber 2| and engages .into another aperture 27 formed in the innersection I5 for holding the sections I5 and I6 in their extendedpositions.

A cam-like leaf spring 28 is mounted within the inner section I5by-several `fastening elements 29.- This cam-like leaf spring 28 isprovided with a 'cam portion 30 which engages against the inner en d ofthelpin 2.5 for urging the pin 25 outwards when the cam portion 30 ismoved outwards for releasing the sections I5 and I 6. The pin 25 is:urged and Aheld in its inner position by a spring `32 which issupported beneath the ilange I9 and on `section I5 and which is,attached to the head of the pin 25. The .spring 28 .normally seeks aninward positions, as villustrated in Fig. 4.

`'.Ulzrenmember lil is :provided `with :another 'telescopic section 34slidably engaging the inner section I'5 and when moved inwards capableof engaging against the cam-like leaf spring 28 for moving the leafspring 28 outwards so that the cam portion 30 moves the pin 25 outwardsfree from the aperture 21. The section 34 extends above the section I5.Said section 34 looks very similar to a piston and stem. It has a pistonportion 35 slidably engaged within the section I5 and which connectswith a thin stem portion 36. The top of the stem portion 36 is providedwith a head 31. The hailing flag I2 is attached to the stem portion 36.The flag I2 is capable of being wound around the stem portion 36 so thatit may be lowered down into the section I5 when the member I6 iscollapsed. A stop 38 is attached upon the flange I8 radially inwards andwhen the section 34 is pushed into the section I5 the bottom face of thepiston portion 35 engageszthe stop 38 to limit the downward movement ofthe piston portion 35 and the stem portion 36 and the ag I2 carriedthereby.

The inner end of the extendable and collapsible member I6 is also atubular section in which the tubular section I6 is slidably engaged. Theadjacent end portions of the sections II and I'6 are constructedidentically in the same Way as the adjacent' end portions of thesections I5 and I6. Identical parts have been indicated by the samereference numerals. However, the flange I8 of the section I5 is dependedupon to press outwards the leaf spring 28 of the section I6 forreleasing the sections II and I6. Stops 42 are mounted upon the bottomflange I8 of the section I6 for limiting the possible downward motion ofthe section I'5 within the section I6. The stops 42 also extend outwardsand engage in longitudinally extending grooves 46 formed along the sidesof the section II for holding the sections I I and I6 non-rotative inrelation to each other. The bottom of the section II is provided with aremovable cap 41.

The side of the section II is also provided with a clasp 40 or hook forsecuring the hailing ag in a mans pocket, canopy of a building, etc.

The operation of the new andA improved taxi hailing flag may beunderstood from the follow- 111g:

When the flag is open as illustrated in Fig. 2 it may be used to hailtaxicabs, or for other hailing or signaling purposes. The hailing flagmay be collapsed by first turning the flag I2 around the'stem portion 36of the section 34. Now the section 34 may be moved downwards into thesection I5. When the section 34 is in its complete downward position,the piston portion 35 will have moved the cam-like leaf spring 28 of thesection I5 outwards which moved the pin 25 outwards freeing the sectionsI5 and I6. Now the section I`5 is free to be moved downwards into thesection I6.

When the section I5 reaches its bottommost position within the sectionI6 it will have moved the spring 28 of the section I6 which will havefreed the sections II and I6.- Now the section I6 may be moved downwardsto its bottom position within the section II and the hailing flag willbe collapsed and appears as illustrated in Fig. l.

In Fig. 7 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed in whichthe hailing ag includes an extendable and collapsible member 50 adaptedto be carried around in ones pocket, or pocketbook when collapsed andhaving an inner end 5I by which it may be waved when opened. vA F flagI2 is attached upon the outer end of the member 50.

The member 56 is constructed from a plurality of pivotally connectedstrip sections 5.2 arranged in the nature of a lazy-tong member. Theinner end 5I' is in the nature of a tubular container 53 which isconnected with the inner end of the lazy-tong member 5I). One of theinner strips of the lazy-tong member is pivotally connected by a pintle54 within the container 53. The other inner strip is pivotally connectedwith a slide 55 slidably mounted on a bar 56 within the container 53.The outer end of the lazy-tong member 56 has one of the ends of one ofthe end strips pivotally connected by a pintle 51 with a bar 58 uponwhich the flag I2 is attached. The outer end of the other end strip ofthe lazy-tong member 50 is connectedby a pintle 59 with a slotVvThearrangement is 60 formed in the bar 58. such that the lazy-tongmember may be extended and collapsed. It is illustrated in Fig.V 7 inits extended position. When collapsed the iiag I2 may also be forcedinto the container 53 and; thenthe hailing ag may be convenientlycarried around in ones pocket.

An Iouter cap 6I is provided for encasingv this y device in the fullycollapsed condition. Y While I have illustrated and described thevpreferred embodiments of my invention, it isto be understood that I donot limit myself -to the pre-k cise constructions herein disclosed andthe right is reserved to all changes and modifications com.

ing within the scope of the invention as define in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what If claim as new, and d-esire tosecure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a taxi hailing flag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engagednon-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed andthe inner end of the inner section havingk an outwardly directed flangeand the adjacent end of the outer section having an inwardly directedflange extending over said outwardly directed flange and continuing intoaninwardlydirected short tubular portion spaced outwards from said innersection, said inner section including an aperture, a spring urged pinengaging throughy said short tubular portion and extending across thespace to said inner section fandvengaging in said aperture of said innersection for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf spring`mounted within the inner section and engaging tions adapted to beextended and collapsed and" the inner end of the inner section having anoutwardly directed flange and the adjacent end-of the outer sectionhaving an inwardly directed ange extending over said outwardly directed'flange and continuing into an inwardly directed short tubular portionspaced outwards from said inner section, said inner ksection includinganaperture, a spring urged pin engagingthroughH said short tubular portionand extending'across the space to saidV inner section andxengaging invsaid aperture of said inner section for holding said sections extended,a cam-like leaf springf mounted within the inner sectionand' engaging"Athe inner vend of *said pin for' movingy said pin outwards when movedoutwards for releasing said sections, another telescopic sectionslidably engaging in said inner section and when moved inwards actingt-o move said leaf spring outwards, and a stop mounted on said innersection and projected radially inwards to be engaged by the bottom endof said other telescopic section when moved completely into said innersection to limit inward movement of said other telescopic section.

3. In a taxi hailing flag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engagednon-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed andthe inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flangeand the adjacent end of the outer section having an inwardly directediiange extending over said outwardly directed ange and continuing intoan inwardly directed short tubular portion spaced outwards from saidinner section, said inner section including an aperture, a spring urgedpin engaging through said short tubular portion and extending across thespace to said inner section and engaging in said aperture of said innersection for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf springmounted within the inner section and engaging the inner end of said pinfor moving said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing saidsections, another telescopic section slidably engaging in said innersection and when moved inwards acting to move said leaf spring outwards,and a stop mounted on said inner section and projected radially inwardsto be engaged by the bottom end of said other telescopic section whenmoved completely into said inner section to limit inward movement ofsaid other telescopic section.

4. In a taxi hailing flag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engagednon-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed andthe inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flange`and the adjacent end of said sections extended, a cam-like leaf springmounted within the inner section and engaging the inner end of said pinfor moving said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing saidsections, and another telescopic section slidably engaging in said innersection and when moved inwards acting to move said leaf spring outwards,said spring which urges said pin inwards being mounted beneath saidinwardly directed iiange and being connected with a head on said pin.

5. In a taxi hailing iiag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engagednon-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed andthe inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flangeand the adjacent end of the outer section having an inwardly directedflange extending over said outwardly directed ange and continuing intoan inwardly directed short tubular portion spaced outwards from saidinner section, said inner section including an aperture, a spring urgedpin engaging through said short tubular portion and extending across thespace to said inner section and engaging in said aperture of said innersection for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf springmounted within the inner section and engaging the inner end of said pinfor moving said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing saidsections, and another telescopic section slidably engaging in said innersection and when moved inwards acting to move said leaf spring outwards,and fastening elements securing the top end of said cam like leaf springto said inner section.

THEODORE SWERTLOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 815,115 Pax Mar. 13, 1906 859,233Lane July 9, 1907 918,579 Murch Apr. 20, 1909 1,267,915 Shellabarger May28, 1918 1,406,268 Madej Feb. 14, 1922 2,225,889 Rubenstein Dec. 24,1940

